Sellers

The following is a checklist to help walk you through the process:

• Know your property. If you are not already, become familiar with such facts about your property as property taxes, zoning, lot size, square footage, etc. Look at the terms of your existing loan.
• Research the current market and property laws in your area. How much are properties similar to yours selling for? What are the terms of the sales? What property disclosure laws do you need to take into consideration?
• Set the price. Once you know the specifics about your home and have checked out what similar properties in your area are selling for, set a realistic price.
• Determine financing alternatives. Contact lenders in your area to determine what the options are for your prospective buyer. You want to be informed before they ask, or your lack of knowledge may turn them off from dealing with you.
• Perform a “walk-through” of your property. Look at it from the perspective of both the prospective buyer and the inspector. Take notes on all items that need to be repaired or replaced. Things to consider include:
  • Outside:

    • From the street, is the house appealing? This is called “curb appeal.”

    • Does it need a new coat of paint (either because the old paint is obviously cracked or faded, or because of an uncommon choice in color that might turn off prospective buyers)?

    • Is the lawn and landscaping attractive and well-kept?

    • If it is a condo, you can’t do much about the building, but is the front door (and balcony, if there is one) appealing?

    • Are the windows and doors attractive and in good condition?

    • Are the roof (and the gutters) in good condition?

    • Is the grass nicely cut, are the hedges trimmed, are the leaves swept up?

    • Are all toys put away such as bikes, scooters, etc.?

  • Inside:

    • Are the interior paints and finishes in good condition (recently updated), or do they need to be freshened up? This is one area with the best ratio of least expensive to most desired. For a minimal investment, you could possibly make or break a sale by having your home look well-kept and inviting.

    • Are the appliances in good working order and of recent vintage?

    • Are the plumbing and electrical systems in good condition? Are they fully functional?

    • Are the carpets or other floor coverings clean and in good condition? Like the paint, are they attractive and well-kept? Floor coverings are worth paying for so that your home makes a good impression.

    • Are the sealants (sink, shower, tub, windows) in good condition?

    • Are all light fixtures working properly, and is there good lighting in each room so that prospective buyers won’t think you’re hiding something?

    • **Make all repairs noted in your inspection.

• Know your neighborhood. Most prospective buyers will want to know about the local schools, shopping, parks, transportation, etc. Be prepared so you can knowledgeably answer their questions.
• Establish a marketing budget. How much are you willing to spend to sell your house?
• Establish a marketing plan. If you are working with an agent, he or she will take care of showings and open houses on your behalf. It is best to allow your agent to show your home on their own so that the prospective buyer does not feel uncomfortable or pressured. Prepare a fact sheet. Design a single sheet description of your property listing the features and benefits that will draw in prospective buyers. This should be attractive and professional looking. Have enough copies on hand to give out at open house showings. Again, if you are working with an agent, he or she will most likely do this on your behalf.
• Real estate commission if you use an agency to sell.
• Advertising costs, signs, other fees if you plan to sell by owner.
  Closing cost and other professional fees.
• Prorated costs for your share of annual expenses, such as property taxes, home owner association fees.
• Any other fees typically paid by the seller in your area such as surveys, termite bonds, etc. Real estate agents deal with transactions every day and can give you a very close estimate of seller closing costs.
• Don’t forget the Internet. As you have probably noticed from the website you have found this article on, most agents have their own website, which includes their clients’ listings as well as the entire MLS search. If you work with an agent, your property will most likely be placed on their web site and on the full MLS search as part of the services they will offer you.
• Purchase “open house” signs. Make sure that they include a place to write the address of your property and the date/time of the open house. Set up a schedule of open houses. While most are held on the weekend, this is not convenient for all buyers. Make sure that you coordinate your print advertising to include information about your next open house.
• Keep a list of prospective buyers. As people come through during open houses, or as they call from reading your ads or seeing the sign out front, keep a list with their names and phone numbers. Concentrate your attention on those who seem serious about your property, as opposed to those who are just checking out the neighborhood or whiling away a Sunday afternoon. Make sure that you make follow up telephone calls to all those who seem seriously interested in your property.
• Once you have an offer, it’s time to negotiate. Leave your emotions behind when you enter negotiations. You never want to get angry or give away the fact that you’re overly eager.
• Get your forms in order. A number of forms are required for the legal sale of your property. In addition to the contract of purchase and any counteroffers, there are approximately 20 other forms that the seller is required to provide to the buyer. It is necessary to review the contract carefully to determine when these forms/documents are due and what the buyer’s rights are once they receive the document. The form and content of many of these documents are prescribed by state or federal law and must be adhered to in their entirety.
• Negotiate final terms of the sale. Buyer(s) need to come to an agreement (in writing) regarding the following:
  • Price
  • Inspection contingencies
  • Financing terms
  • Date of closing
  • Date of possession
  • It would be prudent for you to have an attorney review any and all contracts before the deal is finalized.
  • Final walk-through. When both the buyer(s) and a witness can be present, schedule a final walk-through before you complete settlement in order to determine that the property being conveyed meets the expectations of all parties involved.
  • Resolve any disputes before the transfer of title.
  • Find and make arrangements for the home you will be moving to.

When taking all these factors into consideration, selling your home on your own requires a tremendous amount of details. That is why we strongly recommend hiring our Agency so you will not have to deal with all these details.

Let us at L. A. & Associates Realty Inc. help you sell your home!